Folding table and chair

ABSTRACT

A folding table and chair each have an unobtrusive folding mechanism that cannot be easily seen when unfolded for use. Because the folding mechanism is not readily seen, folding tables and chairs of a number of well-known and popular styles can be provided that are suitable for use as everyday home furniture. Folding furniture may be particularly desirable for apartment and condominium dwellers who have limited living space and need to occasionally store bulky furniture to fully use such space. The folding furniture of the invention is also easier to move than traditional furniture, including the hinge of the table, which can also serve as a carrying handle.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 12/348,691, filed on Jan. 5, 2009, which is acontinuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/878,310,filed on Jul. 23, 2007 and now abandoned, which claims priority under 35U.S.C. §119(e) to provisional U.S. Patent Application No. 60/832,136,filed on Jul. 21, 2006. The disclosures of the aforementionedapplications are expressly incorporated by reference herein in theirentirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention is directed to a folding table and chair. In particular,the table can be easily folded to make it more compact and transportedfor storage or relocation; and the chair can be folded flat tofacilitate storage.

2. Related Art

Many folding tables that include a handle, or other carrying means, fortransportation include a separate structure that is visible when thetable is unfolded.

An example of such a table is a typical “suitcase” style folding table.The suitcase table includes a handle mounted to an outer edge of a tableleaf. A hinge, or other folding mechanism, is disposed at the center ofthe table and connects the opposing leaves. The suitcase table's legshave a sliding leg-lock arrangement that is widely used in foldingtables. The legs can be folded within the thickness of the skirtsurrounding the edge of each leaf. The table can be folded in half suchthat the skirt of each leaf contacts one another to form an outer planarsurface that forms the “suitcase” with the legs folded inside. The skirtmay include a latching mechanism so that the leaves can be securedtogether. The secured, folded table can be transported by means of theseparate handle that is not located on the same side of the outer planarsurface of the suitcase as the hinge.

Many of the mechanisms that permit the suitcase table to fold and betransported are visible when the table is in use. Accordingly, thesevisible mechanisms are unsightly and make the typical folding tableundesirable for everyday home use.

In smaller domiciles, furniture that is easily moved and stored isdesired so that occupants can take full advantage of limited livingspace, which is especially important in urban environments.

Accordingly, there is a need for a foldable table and chair that hidesthe folding and carrying mechanisms so that the table is sufficientlystylish and decorative for everyday use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention meets the foregoing need and by providing a foldingmechanism and carrying mechanism, respectively, that is not readilyvisible when unfolded, which results in a table and chair havingappearances more similar to non-folding tables and chairs that aredecorative and suitable for everyday use, as well as other advantagesapparent from the discussion herein.

In one aspect of the invention, a [MW to complete based on Finalclaims].

According to another aspect of the invention, [MW to complete based onFinal claims].

In yet another aspect of the invention, a [MW to complete based on Finalclaims].

Additional features, advantages, and embodiments of the invention may beset forth or apparent from consideration of the following detaileddescription, drawings, and claims. Moreover, it is to be understood thatboth the foregoing summary of the invention and the following detaileddescription are exemplary and intended to provide further explanationwithout limiting the scope of the invention as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a furtherunderstanding of the invention, are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention andtogether with the detailed description serve to explain the principlesof the invention. No attempt is made to show structural details of theinvention in more detail than may be necessary for a fundamentalunderstanding of the invention and the various ways in which it may bepracticed. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an exemplary folding tableconstructed according to the principles of the invention in an unfoldedposition;

FIG. 1A shows a side elevational view of a folding table constructedaccording to the principles of the invention in an unfolded position;

FIG. 1B shows an enlarged perspective view of a push button release usedin a folding table constructed according to the principles of theinvention;

FIG. 1C shows a perspective view of the table of FIG. 1 in a foldedposition;

FIG. 2 shows a side perspective view of the table of FIG. 1 in a foldedposition;

FIG. 2A shows an enlarged view of the folding mechanism of the table ofFIG. 2;

FIG. 3A shows a perspective view of a locking mechanism constructedaccording to the principles of the invention;

FIG. 3B shows a cutaway view of the locking mechanism shown in FIG. 3Aattached to a table, for example as shown in FIG. 1B;

FIG. 3C shows a cutaway view as shown in FIG. 3B with a leg rotated to afolded position;

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of an exemplary folding chairconstructed according to the principles of the invention in an unfoldedposition;

FIG. 4A shows an enlarged view of a locking mechanism for the chair ofFIG. 4;

FIG. 4B shows a side elevational view of the chair of FIG. 4 in a foldedposition;

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of another exemplary folding tableconstructed according to the principles of the invention in an unfoldedposition;

FIG. 6 shows a dining set incorporating the table of FIG. 5 with chairsconstructed in accordance with the principles of the chair illustratedin FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 shows yet another exemplary folding table constructed accordingto the principles of the invention having a slat-style design;

FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of yet another exemplary folding tableconstructed according to the principles of the invention having atransitional style;

FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of another exemplary folding chairconstructed according to the principles of the invention in an unfoldedposition;

FIGS. 9A, 9B, 9C show the chair of FIG. 9 in various stages of folding;

FIG. 10 shows a dining set incorporating the table of FIG. 8 with chairsconstructed in accordance with the principles of the chair illustratedin FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of yet another exemplary folding tableconstructed according to the principles of the invention having atraditional style;

FIG. 12 shows a perspective view of yet another exemplary folding chairconstructed according to the principles of the invention in an unfoldedposition;

FIG. 12A shows an enlarged perspective view of a push button releaseimplemented in the chair of FIG. 12 that is similar to the push buttonrelease illustrated by FIG. 1B;

FIG. 13 shows a dining set incorporating the table of FIG. 11 withchairs constructed in accordance with the principles of the chairillustrated in FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 shows a perspective view of yet another exemplary folding tableconstructed according to the principles of the invention having amission style;

FIG. 15 shows a perspective view of yet another exemplary folding chairconstructed according to the principles of the invention in an unfoldedposition;

FIG. 16 shows a dining set incorporating the table of FIG. 14 withchairs constructed in accordance with the principles of the chairillustrated in FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 shows a perspective view of an exemplary folding tableconstructed according to the principles of the invention in an unfoldedposition;

FIG. 18 shows top view of the table of FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 shows a front elevation view of the table of FIG. 17; and

FIG. 20 shows a bottom view of the table of FIG. 17 in a foldedposition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The embodiments of the invention and the various features andadvantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference tothe non-limiting embodiments and examples that are described and/orillustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the followingdescription. It should be noted that the features illustrated in thedrawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, and features of oneembodiment may be employed with other embodiments as the skilled artisanwould recognize, even if not explicitly stated herein. Descriptions ofwell-known components and processing techniques may be omitted so as tonot unnecessarily obscure the embodiments of the invention. The examplesused herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of waysin which the invention may be practiced and to further enable those ofskill in the art to practice the embodiments of the invention.Accordingly, the examples and embodiments herein should not be construedas limiting the scope of the invention, which is defined solely by theappended claims and applicable law. Moreover, it is noted that likereference numerals represent similar parts throughout the several viewsof the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a folding table 100 constructed in accordance with theprinciples of the invention. The table may include two leaves 122, 123that make up a table top 120. Each table leg 110 may be pivotablyconnected to one of the leaves 122, 123 that can be unlocked to fold viaa push button release 105. FIG. 1A is a side view of the unfolded table100 that shows two leaves 122, 123 joined together by a hinge 124.

FIG. 1B is an enlarged view of the push button release 105. The button105 may be disposed in a recess 125 of the table top 120. Here, thebutton 105 is pushed down to unlock the leg 110 so that it may fold, butthe button may be any suitable mechanism for disengaging a lock or latchthat holds the leg 110 in place when the table 100 is unfolded for use.

FIG. 1C illustrates table 100 in a folded position. In a foldedposition, the leaves 122, 123 are spaced apart, primarily by thethickness of the legs 110. This space may expose the hinge 124 so thatit can be used as a handle for carrying the table 100 in the foldedposition for transportation or storage.

FIG. 2 is a side view of table 100 that illustrates that it may restflat on the ground or other surface in a folded position, supported byan edge of the leaves 122, 123 opposite the hinge 124. FIG. 2A is aclose-up view of the hinge 124. The hinge 124 may include a handle 201that is held in place by collars 203, which are coupled to the leaves122, 123 by flanges 205. The handle can be fixedly coupled to thecollars of one leaf while being pivotably connected to the collars ofthe other leaf. Alternatively, the handle can be pivotably connected toall of the collars and held in place by end caps 207 disposed on theouter collars to prevent longitudinal movement of the handle.Preferably, most of the handle 201 is disposed above the edges of theleaves 122, 123 in the folded position to facilitate carrying of thetable 100.

FIG. 3A shows a latching mechanism 300 that may engage push button 105to releasably lock leg 110 in relation to table top 120. The latchingmechanism 300 may be coupled to table top 120 using support plate 303.The leg 110 may be coupled to the latching mechanism 300 using hingeplate 305 that is rotatably connected the support plate 303 at pin 315.A latch 301 may fix or hold the hinge plate 305 in relation to both thesupport plate 303 and table top 120. The latch 301 may include a lever309 that is adapted to engage push button release 105 within recess 125of FIG. 1B. The latch may also include a clasp 311 that holds an upperplanar surface of the hinge plate 305 to a lower planar surface of thesupport plate 303 to “lock” the leg 110 in an unfolded position that isgenerally perpendicular to the table top 120. The latch 301, includinglever 309, may be biased towards the push button release 105 by amechanism (not shown) such as a spring or other suitable means as willbe understood by one skilled in the art.

FIGS. 3B and 3C show cutaway plan views of the latching mechanism inrelation to the table top 120, including push button 105. In FIG. 3B,leg 110 is shown in an unfolded or locked position, while FIG. 3C showsleg 110 in a folded and unlocked position. Push button 105 may bestructured and arranged so that its upper surface is substantiallycoplanar with the upper surface of table top 120. Pressing push button105 down into recess 125 causes button 105 to engage lever 309. Thedownward motion of lever 309 opens clasp 311 and releases the hingeplate 305 so that it may be rotated about pin 315. Once the hinge plateis free, the leg 110 may be rotated into a folded position that isgenerally parallel to the table top 120. To unfold the leg 110, it maybe rotated so that an edge of hinge plate 305 will push the clasp 311against biasing force provided by the latch 301 so that leg 110 canfully rotate. When the upper planar surface of hinge plate 305 abuts thelower planar surface of the support plate 303, the clasp 311 will springback, due to the biasing force of latch 301, to lock the leg 110 inplace. The biasing force may be provided by any appropriate means knownto one skilled in the art, including without limitation, e.g., coilsprings and leaf springs. The clasp 311 may have a tapered surface 313adapted to engage a leading edge of hinge plate 305 to facilitateunfolding of the leg 110. This arrangement is largely hidden from viewwhen the legs are unfolded, granting the folding table 100 theappearance of a regular, non-folding table.

FIG. 4 shows a folding chair 400 constructed in accordance with theprinciples of the invention. The chair 400 includes a back 403 and aseat 405 having a cushion 406. The back may be supported by rear legs407 that extend from the surface the chair 400 is resting on to the topof back 403. The seat 405 can be pivotably coupled to rear legs 407. Thefront of seat 405 may be supported by front legs 409 that aresubstantially shorter in length than rear legs 407. Extra lateralsupport may be provided by support 415 that is connected to front legs409 on a front end and pivotably connected to a cross-support 416 at aback end. The support 415 primarily provides lateral support in afront-to-back direction, and the cross-support 416 primarily provideslateral support in a side-to-side direction. Here, seat 405, legs 407,409, support 415, and cross-support 416 include a frame 411 preferablymade of lightweight cast aluminum. But other materials that are known tobe suitable for constructing folding chairs can be used in accordancewith the principles of the invention.

Each of the front legs 409 may include a slot and keyhole arrangementfor locking the chair 400 in an unfolded position. FIG. 4A shows thefront leg 409 having a slot 422 and a keyhole 423 within the leg thatboth engage a tab 417 of support 415. When the tab 417 is seated in theslot 422, the support 415 is locked relative to the cross-support 416and the front leg 409, thereby preventing the seat 405 from pivoting and“locks” the chair 400 in the unfolded position. Moving the tab 417 tothe keyhole 423 “unlocks” the chair 400 and allows the tab to move in amanner that permits the support 415 to rotate relative to the front leg409, which, in turn, permits a pivotal motion of the seat 405 to allowfolding of the chair 400. FIG. 4B illustrates chair 400 in a foldedposition.

FIG. 5 shows a modern style dining table 500 constructed in accordancewith the principles of the invention. Each leaf 522, 523 may comprisestwo wooden slabs 526, 528, 530, 532 that conceal the seam where thetable 500 is folded. The table 500 also may include the previouslydescribed push button release 105 for locking/unlocking legs 510. Here,the push button release 105 is shown as an aluminum button to accent thewooden slabs 526, 528, 530, 532. A skilled artisan would recognize thata variety of materials can be used with the table of the invention,including the material for the push button release, depending on theaesthetic look desired. FIG. 6 shows a dining set including table 500with chairs 400.

FIG. 7 shows a slat style dining table 600 constructed in accordancewith the principles of the invention. The table leaves 622, 623 can bemade up of slats 630. The push button release 105 can be made of a woodor other material, contrasting to the slats 630 for adding a stylishappeal.

FIG. 8 shows a transitional table 650 constructed in accordance with theprinciples of the invention. The table 650 may include tapered legs 660and a beaded skirt 665 for an elegant look. The push button release canbe covered by a veneer 656 to match the table top 670 made up of leaves672, 673.

FIG. 9 illustrates a transitional folding chair 700 using an alternativefolding mechanism. The chair 700 includes a back 703, a seat 705 havinga cushion 706, rear legs 707, front legs 709, support 715, andcross-support 716. Here, the chair 700 also includes a frontcross-support 717 that provides side to side lateral support in asimilar manner to the cross-support 716. The support 715 may be joinedto the front cross-support 717 at the front end, and pivotably connectedto the cross-support 716 at the rear end. The front cross-support 717 ispivotably connected to the front legs 709.

FIGS. 9A, 9B, and 9C illustrate the various steps of folding the chair700. FIGS. 9 and 9A show the chair 700 in an unfolded position suitablefor use. FIG. 9B shows that the seat 705 may be rotated off of pegs 720,which permits the support 715 and front legs 709 to pivot upwardly tofold the chair 700. The chair in a folded position is illustrated byFIG. 9C. FIG. 10 shows the dining set including table 650 with chairs700.

FIG. 11 shows a traditional style table 750 constructed in accordancewith the principles of the invention. The table 750 may include engraveddetails 776 in the leaves 772, 773. The legs 760 can have the appearanceof classic lathe turned legs that end in boxed shoulders 775 integratedinto the skirt 765. The push button release, which may covered by aveneer 756 to match the table, operates to lock/unlock the legs 760.

FIG. 12 illustrates a traditional folding chair 800 using yet anotherfolding mechanism. As can be seen in FIG. 12A, the front legs 809 may befolded by pressing a push button release 815 disposed within a recess825 of the seat 805 that functions similar to the previously describedrelease for a folding table. Pressing the push button release 805unlatches the front legs 809 so that the seat 805 may be rotated and thechair 800 will lay substantially flat for storage. FIG. 13 shows adining set including table 750 with chairs 800.

FIG. 14 shows a perspective view of yet another exemplary folding tableconstructed according to the principles of the invention having amission style. In particular, FIG. 14 shows a mission style table 850constructed in accordance with the principles of the invention. Theleaves 872, 873 may include ceramic or stone tiles 876 for creating themission look. The legs 860 may be straight and sturdy to provide a handmade look consistent with the mission style. The push button release 105may be made to match either the tiles or wood of table.

FIG. 15 shows a perspective view of yet another exemplary folding chairconstructed according to the principles of the invention in an unfoldedposition. In particular, FIG. 15 shows a mission chair 900 that maypreferably include the alternative folding mechanism shown in FIG. 9,but other folding mechanisms that are consistent with the principles ofthe invention may also be used.

FIG. 16 shows a dining set incorporating the table of FIG. 14 withchairs constructed in accordance with the principles of the chairillustrated in FIG. 15. In particular, FIG. 16 shows a dining setincluding table 850 with chairs 900.

According to an alternative aspect of the invention, a table 100 may beprovided that has a solid, one-piece table top 120 as shown in FIG. 17.Such a table 100 may not have leaves 122, 123 or a hinge 124. It may,however, have one or more folding legs 100 and a push release button105. The button 105 may be pushed down to unlock the leg 100 so that itmay fold, or the button 105 may be any other suitable mechanism fordisengaging a lock or latch that holds leg 110 in position when thetable 100 is unfolded. The button 105 may function as described abovewith respect to FIG. 1B, although other configuration and mechanisms, asunderstood by one skilled in the relevant arts, are contemplated andwith the scope of the invention. FIG. 18 displays the top of the table100, and FIG. 19 shows the side of the table.

FIG. 20 illustrates the underside of the table 100 when the legs 100 arefolded. The legs 110 are folded at an angle relative to the sides of thetable 100, although any configuration of the legs in a folded positionis contemplated and within the scope of the invention.

The invention provides unobtrusive folding mechanisms for both a tableand chair that provides a folding table and chair, both of which may beconstructed in a number of styles, that are sufficiently decorative forregular, everyday home use.

While the invention has been described in terms of exemplaryembodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the inventioncan be practiced with modifications in the spirit and scope of theappended claims. These examples given above are merely illustrative andare not meant to be an exhaustive list of all possible designs,embodiments, applications or modifications of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A mechanism for a folding table, the mechanismcomprising: a first plate configured to attach to an underside of atable top; a second plate configured to attach to a table leg, thesecond plate rotatably connected to the first plate by means of a pin; aclasp configured to hold the second plate against the first plate suchthat the second plate does not rotate with respect to the first plate; alever configured to move the clasp such that the second plate is nolonger held against the first plate, the lever extending above the firstplate, the lever configured to be positioned within a recess in thetable top; and a push button positioned in the recess in the table top,the push button configured to engage the lever, thereby releasing thesecond plate from the first plate.
 2. The mechanism of claim 1, whereinthe lever is biased against the push button.
 3. The mechanism of claim2, where the lever is biased by a spring.
 4. The mechanism of claim 1,wherein an upper surface of the push button is substantially coplanarwith an upper surface of the table top.
 5. A table comprising themechanism of claim
 1. 6. A folding table comprising: a table top havingan upper surface and a lower surface; a plurality of legs; a pluralityof mechanisms, each mechanism in the plurality of mechanisms configuredto attach one leg in the plurality of legs to the lower surface of thetable top, each mechanism further configured to lock its correspondingleg in an unfolded position; and a plurality of push buttons set intothe table top, each of the plurality of buttons having an upper surfacethat is substantially coplanar with the upper surface of the table top,each button further configured to release one mechanism in the pluralityof mechanisms from locking its corresponding leg in an unfoldedposition.
 7. The folding table of claim 6, further comprising aplurality of recesses, wherein each mechanism in the plurality ofmechanisms is positioned in one recess of the plurality of recesses. 8.The folding table of claim 6, wherein each mechanism is biased againstits corresponding push button.
 9. The folding table of claim 8, whereineach mechanism is biased by a spring.
 10. The folding table of claim 6,further comprising a mechanism for folding the table top.